Hey All--
This group is so awesome; thanks to all of you for your love and support. I know with you behind me, and the connections with fellow newbies, I'm going to beat this thing for good!
Bonnie--What great ideas! This is the best post I've seen yet about turning the mindset from giving something up to quitting in order to gain. So inspirational...thank you. I'm going to work first thing tomorrow on implementing each and every one of these.
Jim--I really appreciate the support, thank you so much. I've read several of your posts about Chantix. To be honest with you it scares me a bit. I've talked to others that have taken it and have heard about the side effects--I just don't want to risk it. I did Wellbutrin the last time around and it turned me into a total ass. I realize Chantix works very differently, but I don't really want to take on another potential problem when I'm already dealing with the nicotine addiction. I think it's awesome it worked for you and I've heard a lot of other success stories, I just don't think it's for me.
All--The way I worked it during my two "successful" quits (5 years and 2 years respectively) was to divide the addiction into two parts: social/psychological and then the base nicotine addiction.
I found that by using a true NRT like the patch, lozenge, etc. I could deal with the social/psychological piece first. So when I woke up in the morning dying for a cig, it wasn't because I was in withdrawal--I was fully dosed from wearing the patch all night--I could recognize it as an ingrained habit that I needed to change. That made it a lot easier to combat.I also found that after a couple weeks hiatus I had no problem resuming my normal social activities; If after lunch all my co-workers would light up I was OK to hang out and have conversations with them. I just kept repeating my mantra that I was glad I had made the decision not to smoke.
Meanwhile, as I was learning new behaviors, the NRTs allowed for a gradual step-down delivery of the nicotine levels. By reducing physical dependence over time, there was eventually a convergence of the psychological and physical where it was easy to put the cigs down at last.
Long Timers--I think it is so incredible that you continue to be here for those of us still struggling with this addiction. There's no way to put the value of your presence into words. As a back-slider, I think you're doing the right thing for you, because this never goes away. After 5 years without a smoke I saw no harm in having a couple when I was out with the guys. I fully believed that I would never fall back into the addiction after going through such a difficult quit. Wrong: I was right back into full addiction in no time.
A year and a half ago--after my two year quit--I went through a really tough spot. I decided to buy a pack, smoke one and throw the rest away. Wrong again! On that first puff I knew I was hooked again--and have been since. It's an insidious thing. I can't wait until I'm standing with you on the NOPE pledge. For all of you who have made it to the other side: KEEP IT GOING!
Hope this isn't too preachy for a newbie--it just helps me to share my experience.
Thanks again to all of you,
Ron
My Milage:My Quit Date: 7/28/2008
Smoke-Free Days: -16
Cigarettes Not Smoked: -480
Amount Saved: $-104.00
Life Gained:Days: 0
Hrs: 0
Mins: 0
Seconds: -192261
